Trauma-Informed Yoga
An integrative healing approach that builds your Mind & Body connection, now offered at The Justin Center
What is Trauma-Informed Yoga (TIY)?
While TIY is grounded in traditional styles of yoga, there are a few things that set this practice apart. "Yoga" can have varying meanings and carry connotations that may not feel inclusive or approachable for everyone, so let's talk about what makes TIY different!
A few of the main goals of TIY is to build the mind-body connection and to practice empowered choice. This shows up through inviting language and encouragement to move the way that feels most comfortable to you. All poses can be made accessible to varying body types through modifications; there are zero expectations to contort your body into any discomfort. All poses can be done on a chair or a mat, so if floorwork feels intimidating to you, no worries! Unlike a typical yoga class, there are no physical assists (so no one else will be touching your body) -because no one else can experience what you're feeling and know what is best for your body. It's an opportunity to practice being present with yourself, notice what feels good and what doesn't, and feel empowered to make choices through movements that honor you.
TIY is a great supplemental tool for mental health healing. This practice may be beneficial to you if you have experienced trauma, vicarious trauma, or feel disconnected from your body. This is a restful and rejuvenating practice, not a workout. If you feel as though you could benefit from adding an integrative and somatic approach to your healing journey, look below for upcoming TIY events offered at The Justin Center!
Benefits of TIY
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Activates the parasympathetic nervous system
Increases regulation and builds tools to regulate outside of TIY
Decreases hyperarousal
Targets dissociation by creating a safe environment to be present with your body and pay attention to it
Increases self-compassion
Increased ability to regulate and accept emotions
Empowerment-based language offers experiential practice in learning to trust self again, and practice advocating for what feels right in your body.
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Witnessing and/or hearing the traumatic experiences of others can have lasting impact on helping professionals. TIY is designed to create space for the practice of returning to self and offering rest. Investing in self-care through TIY can re-establish a healthy practice of movement while focusing on your specific somatic symptoms. With a regulated body, your sleep, aches & pains, and daily fatigue can improve.
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Interoception is our ability to feel what is going on inside of our body (think hunger or feeling your heart rate increase). This is part of what we’re referring to when we say “the mind/body connection”, and it is often impacted by experiencing trauma. Self-regulation and knowing what we need can be really difficult when we feel detached from our body. TIY offers a consistent practice of re-integrating interoception, which increases our ability to regulate our body and emotions.
Upcoming TIY Events
Rest & Reignite
One Day TIY Retreat
Step away from the constant demands of caring for others and spend a day reconnecting with yourself. This one-day trauma-informed yoga retreat is designed specifically for helping professionals who are navigating burnout and compassion fatigue.
Throughout the day, you’ll be guided through gentle, choice-based yoga practices that emphasize safety, autonomy, and nervous system regulation. Rather than pushing or striving, the focus is on noticing, allowing, and restoring. Each session is invitational, offering options so you can engage in ways that feel supportive to your body and mind.
The retreat weaves together slow, mindful movement, breathwork, and periods of rest with practical education on stress, trauma, and resilience. You’ll learn simple, accessible tools to help regulate your nervous system during challenging moments at work and in daily life. There will also be space for quiet reflection, journaling, and optional group sharing to foster connection without pressure.
Expect a calm, supportive environment where nothing is required and everything is offered with care. This is not about fixing yourself—it’s about creating space to replenish, regain clarity, and reconnect with the parts of you that often get overlooked while caring for others.
You’ll leave with:
A deeper understanding of how burnout and compassion fatigue present in your body
Practical, trauma-sensitive techniques for grounding and self-regulation
A renewed sense of balance and internal resource
Permission to care for yourself with the same compassion you offer others
This retreat is a gentle reset—an opportunity to slow down, listen inward, and begin restoring your capacity to show up in your work and life with greater ease.
Interested in More?
Contact us about collaborating with your workplace or upcoming events to incorporate TIY! We want to continue growing the impact of TIY in the healing community, so feel free to reach out and request an event, collaboration, or individual services.
